Mamayev Kurgan

Mamayev Kurgan (Mamay's burial mound) is located in the central part of the city of Volgograd. Mamayev Kurgan , dominating over the main part of Volgograd and defined on military-topographic maps as Vysota (high point) -102,0, was the main link in the general system of Stalingrad front defence. It became a key position in the struggle for the Volga banks. Fierce battles were there in last months of 1942. Slopes of the mound were ploughed up by bombs and shells; soil mixed up with metal shatters. This was a place of huge human casualties. Stalingrad battle ended at the place of Mamayev Kurgan on February 2nd, 1943.

The idea of constructing a majestic monument in memory of the great battle in the hero-city arose almost right after the battle ending. The grandiose dimension scale and complexity of the composition of the conceived ensemble demanded considerable terms for its realization. The construction of the monument began in May 1959, and ended on October 15th, 1967, when the monument-ensemble to the heroes of Stalingrad battle was solemnly inaugurated. The form of a monument-ensemble, the highest in monumental art, has allowed the group of authors to reproduce to the full extent the scope of heroism of the Russian people, having embodied concrete artistic images in various kinds of sculpture, in its synthesis with architecture and nature.

Visiting Mamayev Kurgan leaves deep impression at any person. The height of the main monument - the sculptures "Motherland calls!", created by the well-known sculptor Evgeni Vuchetich, is 85 meters. One cannot forget Avenue of Lombardy poplars, and Walls-ruins, and Square of Dying in the last ditch, and Hall of Military Glory. Today the historical memorial complex "To the Heroes of Stalingrad Battle" is one of the most visited in Russia. It functions the year round, without days off, free of charge.